Northvegr - Poetic Edda - Cottle Trans.

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Poetic Edda - Cottle Trans.

Page 1
THE FABLE OF FIOLSUID

ARGUMENT

Suipdager is a young man of an illustrious family, who was destined to marry a regal virgin, whose name was Menglada. But before the nuptials were celebrated, according to ancient custom, he went to acquire glory in a warlike expedition. In the mean time, it is probable that many strove to gain the affections of his mistress; whose offers, however, she faithfully rejected, and whose company she avoided. She dwelt in a mansion that was excellently defended by strong fortifications without, and by persons who were attached to her within. We understand also, that it was defended by certain fires which surrounded it. Suipdager, after long absence, returns in disguise, for the purpose, perhaps, of trying her fidelity, about which some injurious reports had been raised. Coming to the gate, he meets with one Fiolsuid, who was stationed there as a guard. Fiolsuid abuses him, and denies him entrance. Suipdager, although ordered to depart, yet pertinaciously remains about the gate. After he had known from Fiolsuid, that Menglada resided in the mansion, he began to propose questions in an enigmatical manner, which Fiolsuid readily answered. The questions and answers are at this time equally obscure. The obscurity, however, rests in the things themselves, not in the words.

Before the palace gates (1) he saw
The Giant forth his legions draw.
Stranger hence! the chieftain cry'd,
To thee all entrance is deny'd:
Back thro' the marshy plains retreat,
That hither lead thy wand'ring feet.

        FIOLSUID
What stranger he, in tatter'd state,
Who loiters round this palace gate?
Art thou a robber in disguise?
Or mendicant that lives by lies?
Whence thy journey, tell --- and where—
And what thy errand here declare.

        STRANGER
What rude barbarian station'd here,
Thus with taunts invades my ear;
And to a trav'ller dares deny,
The rights of hospitality?
Back with speed thy footsteps bend,
And shame for this thy life attend.

        FIOLSUID
Stranger! Fiolsuid I am nam'd,
For prudence I and wisdom fam'd:
On mendicants that croud this gate,
I squander not my Lord's estate.
Speed thee on thy destin'd way;
Or at thy peril, Villain! stay.

        STRANGER
Where tower's magnificent arise,
Oft the poor man turns his eyes;
"Lord of this wealth," he cries, "ah! why
Feast mine eyes, and bread deny?
Cease, cease to spread so fair and wide,
Those riches that my wants deride."
Joyless, like him, I now behold
These roofs emblazon'd high with gold.
But tho' misfortune me attend,
May'st thou thy days in pleasure spend.

        FIOLSUID
Unfold what names thy parents bear,
And what their lineage declare.

        STRANGER
Know Vinkalder is my name;
From Old Valkalder first I came.
Should you trace my kindred higher,
You'll find Fiolkalder his sire.
Tell me, Fiolsuid! in return,
The secrets I would wish to learn.
What happy potentate is heir
Of all these lands out-spread so fair.

        FIOLSUID
O'er all these wide-spread rich domains,
Fair Menglada justly reigns.
Her fire was Suafer --- in the field
No foe with him the spear could wield.
Thoriner call'd the Hero son, ---
Brave offspring, from just parent sprung.

        VINDKALDER
Say what name for her is found,
Among the nations neighb'ring round:
For Gods above the maiden stile,
Unequal'd architect of guile.

        FIOLSUID
(2) When she speaks, the rocks around,
Re-echo with the thunder's sound.
Mortals at her voice afraid,
Thrimgialla name the maid.
Solbrinder's progeny with guile,
Around her rais'd this lofty pile.
What bold advent'rer shall presume,
To free her from her prison gloom,
Shall to the wild winds vainly groan,
Fix'd as in everlasting stone.

        VINDKALDER
Say, what name denotes that pile,
Whose mazy lab'rinths Gods beguile.

        FIOLSUID
That house, Gastropner, mortals name,
A structure of immortal fame:
I the towers built strong and high,
And bade them time and storm defy.

        VINDKALDER
When the hostile giant train,
Vanquish'd, left the ensanguin'd plain;
Say, what titles were assign'd,
To the fierce dogs they left behind;
That in the fields their vigils hold,
And night and day protect the fold,

        FIOLSUID
One pursu'd his prey with speed,
And Gifer was the name decreed:
The other was in combat brave,
And man the title, Gerer, gave.
Along the winding vales they go,
And keep at distance ev'ry foe:
Eleven folds by night and day,
They watch, till Gods the guardians slay.

        VINDKALDER
Say, if mortal can evade,
The hostile dogs in slumber laid.

        FIOLSUID
By turns the wary guardians sleep,
By turns their wakeful vigils keep.
Their custom this, since first at large,
They rov'd about the eleven-fold charge.
Thus none their notice can elude,
Or in their precincts safe intrude.

        VINDKALDER
Defended by what potent charm,
May one approach secure from harm;
And whilst to hunger, watching yields,
Rush into those forbidden fields?

        FIOLSUID
Shook by the blast, descends the fruit,
In clusters round the antique root
Of yonder tree --- the only charm,
That can the monsters rage disarm:
Tempt them with this luscious treat,
Forgetful of their charge, they eat.

        VINDKALDER
Say, what names denote that tree,
Of umbrose prodigality;
That o'er all lands where men reside,
Extends its verdant branches wide?

        FIOLSUID
Whence arise its roots below,
Few there are pretend to know.
'Tis TREE of EMULATION nam'd,
And widely thro' the nations fam'd.
Its boughs no tempest can annoy,
Nor fire burn, nor steel destroy.

        VINDKALDER
Shall the vigor of this tree,
Survive thro' all eternity?
Since storms can work it no annoy,
Nor fire burn, nor steel destroy.

Notes:

1. "He saw". Suipdager [Back]
2. "When she speaks." --- Fiolsuid, like a faithful guardian, gives a frightful description of Menglada, that he might deter the stranger from any attempt to see her. [Back]

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